Gerry Dulac Of The PPG Has Been Lovin’ On The Ravens

By Jeremy Hritz

Is it me, or does Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers writer Gerry Dulac have a new-found infatuation with the Baltimore Ravens?

Each week, Dulac publishes his NFL Forecast where he selects the winners for every NFL game. Prior to the AFC Championship Game, Dulac had selected the Broncos to defeat the Ravens 28-17 and stated that the Ravens were “fortunate” to get by the Colts and their rookie quarterback. Since that selection, he has become enamored with the Ravens, and his predictions have read like flowery prose in praise of the Steelers hated rival. See for yourself:

On the AFC Championship Game:

“[The Ravens] have big-time playmakers on every level of their offense and defense, guys who have an uncanny ability to change the game when it matters most.”

On the Super Bowl:

“The Falcons were so concerned about Kaepernick getting to the edge in the NFC title game they forgot about stopping Frank Gore up the middle. One thing is certain: Kaepernick will discover that the defenses of the Falcons and Green Bay Packers bear absolutely no resemblance to the Ravens\’ defense. As well as the 49ers are playing, they will be no match for the Ravens. They have playmakers at every level of their offense and defense and have exhibited throughout this season the most amazing ability to find ways to win.”

While I am not arguing that the Ravens have not played well in these playoffs, Dulac’s assessment of the Ravens to any football fan who has paid attention is a stretch.

Sure, Ray Rice is an outstanding running back who drives the Baltimore offense, but outside of Rice, Joe Flacco and his receivers have not been dominant, rather they have been inconsistent. While Torrey Smith is a legitimate deep threat, he is more Mike Wallace than Calvin Johnson. Dulac argues that the Ravens have an “uncanny ability to change the game when it matters most,” and in the Denver game, that was accurate. However, where were those game changers during the regular season in games against a battered Steelers team without Ben Roethlisberger at home, and against Philadelphia, Houston, Washington, and Denver? “Throughout the season,” give me a break.

The most confusing comments by Dulac are those about the Baltimore defense, when he says that the 49ers offense will be no match, and that the defense is above and beyond those of the Falcons and Packers. While Dulac is correct with his statement that the Falcons and Packers are porous on defense, the 2012 Ravens are not exactly the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers, or even the 2012 version. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Ravens ranked 17th overall in team defense, below the Packers. What’s more, the Baltimore rushing defense was awful in the regular season, giving up 122 yards per game on the ground, low-lighted by succumbing 227 rushing yards to the Dallas Cowboys.

And in the postseason, they have been even worse, surrendering 415 total yards per game and 128 yards on the ground in each playoff contest. Not exactly the intimidating defense that Dulac is touting.

The area that the Ravens defense has excelled in this year’s playoffs is turnovers, the sole reason why they are in the position that they are in. In three games, they have accumulated 8 turnovers, and without those splash plays, they would have been eliminated against Denver.

Maybe I am just salty that our arch-nemesis is on the verge of winning their second Lombardi trophy, and I have yet to accept that possibility as a reality. Dulac is an insightful and credible football writer, and I am very much a fan; however, it is surprising to see his questionable evaluation of the Ravens and the 49ers. I believe that the Ravens will win the game tonight, but not because they are a dominant defense or because they have an unstoppable offense as Dulac perceives.

Whatever the outcome, it won’t be one that makes Steelers fans happy, and from my perspective, I’d rather have Dulac be incorrect and the Niners win rather than see Ray Lewis squirrel dance his way off of the field hoisting the trophy (I wonder if the Steelers feel as sick as most of us fans do?).

I’m with you. Go 49ers! I believe the 49ers weakness is possibly inexperience and a very young QB (only 9 NFL starts this season). They almost made it to the Super Bowl last season so they have some playoff experience but not as much as the Ravens. The 49ers have a very good team both offense and defense. They have the #1 passing and rushing offense in the NFL as well as the #2 rushing defense.

I agree. Without the benefit of Chump Bailey’s horrible coverage on the deep ball in Denver, Denver moves on and Baltimore goes home. Unless Baltimore can force more key turnovers in this game, I see the 49ers winning this one. And they had better win this because I don’t think I can stomach a Ravens win.

mghjr88

I couldn’t agree more with the comments about Ray Lewis.

His self aggrandizing, immense arrogance and enormous ego have my eyeballs consistently rolling. There is no doubt that Ray was a great player, but I personally feel he could do himself a big favor and be quiet, then people like myself wouldn’t have ground to stand on when calling him a hypocrite.. We all know that won’t happen though, because this is “God’s time” (Ray’s time).

mghjr88

Former Steeler linebacker Chad Brown recently shared his opinion on Ray Lewis with a local radio station in Pittsburgh.

-“I would say 10-15 percent of his tackles he wasn’t actually involved in, and I’d say another 10 percent he was the last guy in and got credit for them,” Brown says. “There were folks behind Ray trying to make him seem bigger and better than he actually is.”

Brown also doesn’t seem impressed with some of Lewis’ on-field antics.

“It’s quite self-serving,” says Brown. “It’s funny how his teammates all play along and act as if it’s very motivating. We had Greg Lloyd. I love Greg. He’s the baddest man on the planet in my mind. But when the cameras come on the sideline and then you choose to yell at me at that moment? I can see through that, man.”

Mikey Hoje

it’s also a “fun, fictitious city” in the movie Shrek? “kiss my grass”…. was one of the funny song lyrics.

I live in a suburb city in the Baltimore area and the purple I see every day as well as the flags on nearly all the cars is really annoying. Even had to see all the jerseys being worn in church this morning which I thought were inappropriate. I can never bring myself to root for the Ravens no matter where I live.

Yes, I agree completely about Lewis’ self aggrandizement. It’s been so over the top that I cannot understand how anybody commenting on Lewis could fail to mention the self serving nature of his dances and sermons. I’ve heard a few people make note of it, but not nearly enough. Makes you wonder if they are afraid of offending Ray or they simply cannot recognize his poor behavior.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000502216514 Thomas Brown

super bowl champs so suck it steelers

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